The Smithville Tigers graduated a strong senior class, leaving just 13 returning lettermen.
The 2010 version of the Tigers will be young as head coach Justin Wiley fields a team that includes nine sophomores.
Even with going into a district that sports five playoff teams from 2009, Wiley said he’s confident in his young cubs.
“This group of sophomores went 9-1 as freshmen,” he said. “We are going to be young, but this group is winners and has been successful every year since junior high.”
The Tigers (5-5 in 2009) had their second consecutive winning season under Wiley last year.
For them to make it three in a row, Smithville will have to rely on the leadership of seniors Aaron Rodriguez, Jacorey Lincoln and Kresten Scruck.
Wiley said Rodriguez is one of the best athletes he’s ever been around.
“Not a lot of kids have his athletic ability,” Wiley said. “He’s a leader and just a raw talent.”

Players to watch
Lincoln will take over running back duties after the Tigers’ leading rusher for the last two seasons — Jordan Runnels — graduated.
Lincoln saw some action in 2009 at running back while also playing at linebacker.
Wiley said they have been using Lincoln primarily as a running back in the preseason.
Safety Lance Motacha returns after breaking his wrist during the La Grange game, which forced him to sit out the rest of the season.
Wiley said his leadership was definitely missed last year after Motacha was injured.
“He had a good year, but after Lance went out with his injury, our defense kind of went south without him,” Wiley said.

Offense
Quarterback Justin Teague will take over for Ace Fierro.
Teague has some big shoes to fill in Smithville’s spread offense, but Wiley is confident in his junior quarterback.
Teague must replace Fierro’s 1,796 passing yards, 22 touchdowns and 180 points as the Tigers go into their second year in the new offense.
“He’s probably the best passing quarterback we have had here,” Wiley said. “He has a good arm and he’s developing the leadership needed.”
Since moving to the spread offense, the Tigers’ offense led Bastrop County in scoring and total offense.
Teague will have some valuable weapons at his disposal, including Dylan Hancock, Jamie Swartz and Rodriguez at wide receiver.
Wiley said his strongest position is at the interior offensive line, which includes Scruck, Bryce Helmcamp, Mason Morris and Rodriguez.
“We are big in our interior line,” Wiley said. “Our average size is 6-foot-1, 240 pounds, which is decent size for a 3A program.”

Defense
The defense will also be young, but returns six starters from last year.
The linebacking corp is probably the strongest position, with Richard Campos and Ethan Paxton, along with several guys rotating into the outside linebacker position.
At this point in the season, Wiley said he’s pleased with where his team is.